Pillow Talk
Thinking about the right pillow isn’t a common thought for most of us who have so many other things to worry about. If you’ve recently had time to complain about morning aches and pains as a result of your sleep, then you might want to reconsider how much value you put into a pillow. These accessories are incredibly important in aiding us for a healthier sleep cycle as well as promoting full rest and recovery after a long day of work.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, your neck is actually one of your body’s most vulnerable spots for causing bodily pain throughout your spine due to needing proper alignment when rested. It is imperative that you give your neck the support it needs in order to reduce upper body pain which can culminate into severe health problems later on in life. We’ll discuss the importance of the benefits of choosing the right pillow and also narrow down which pillow options may be right for you.
To begin with, let’s talk about the importance of pillow height with sleep position and body size. Since the human neck shaped in a way that is curved a bit upward to balance the weight of your head, it is crucial that this position is maintained when in a rested position. When the pillow is adjusted too high, then the neck is bent oddly to the side or forward, which can cause an obstruction in breathing and reduced air circulation throughout the body and even snoring.
On the other hand, if the pillow position is too low then the muscles of the neck can have a tendency to feel pressure and discomfort. Pillows usually hover around a height of 4 to 6 inches. One study states that the optimal level of pillow height should be 4 inches in order to allow for greatest comfort as well as least muscle interaction to promote better circulation.
Next, we will talk about sleeping positions that affect the type of pillow that should be used. Back sleepers should use a pillow that provides support from the base of your neck to the top of your head and make sure to align your head and back to reduce twists and stress injury to your neck. Side Sleepers should position the pillow up against your shoulders to reduce shoulder pressure and also should be as level as possible with your mattress in order to promote a healthy alignment of the spine. Back sleepers can rely on pillows that offer contouring in order to nestle your neck comfortably while you rest on your back. Finally, stomach sleepers can utilize a traditional pillow as they lay on the side, but be aware of the thickness of the pillow in order to not cause any shoulder strain.
Here we provide a list of our highest ranked pillows based on a variety of categories that have been tested by consumers and experts in Good Housekeeping’s Textile Labs in order to promote the healthiest levels of sleep based on your preference. These options set the foundation to what pillow types you should consider the next time you go shopping.
1. Best Overall Pillow: Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow $69.99
This pillow is the top of the top, crème de la crème. It has excellent memory foam that allows the neck to rest in its natural curvature, provides incredible support for spine alignment, and is guaranteed to never have you waking up with any shoulder, back, spine, nor neck pain again. It is specially designed to fit both comfort and firmness at every level as well as even provides temperature regulation to prevent any circulation or breathing issues. It comes with a great 30-day satisfaction guarantee in the rare case you do not enjoy the product, however, we can guarantee that you will not be disappointed considering the many outstanding features it has to offer. We hope this Dosaze pillow review helps you as you choose the best pillow to reduce your neck and back pain.
And don’t take our word for it, other review sites have come to the same conclusion on the best pillow for neck pain.
2. Best Value Pillow: Amazonbasics Down Alternative Pillow 2-Pack $20.94
This polyester-made pillow is completely machine washable and incredibly good for those that experience allergies. It is soft and plush to accommodate those wanting a silky smooth feel. For those who sleep on their stomachs or back, this is a great recommendation for you.
3. Best Down Pillow: Boll & Branch Down Pillow $150.00
For those looking to spend a little more than a pretty penny out of their budget, this pillow provides excellent support without having it feel too rough for the neck and head. You have the option of choosing this pillow either as soft or medium/firm. The chamber construction of the product is used to help maintain its figure as well as keep your head and neck aligned when you’re sleeping on your side. In addition, it uses 100% organic cotton material that allows it to be durable and resilient for a long time. Boll & Branch provide 30-day money-back guaranteed trial if you’re not fully satisfied, although we doubt that will be the case considering the pillow’s superb quality.
4. Best Down & Feather Pillow: Home Decorators Down Surround $29.74
This is one of the more interestingly manufactured pillows of our list. It comes equipped with a double-pillow design that is intended to meet both softness and support. The outer layer is made of cotton to provide a plush, fluffy feel while it has an inner chamber of feathers for support. The pillow feels neither too soft nor too firm; the density is right down the middle. The pillow comes with a Good Housekeeping Seal which means that if the pillow turns out to be defective within 2 years, then Good Housekeeping will provide you with a refund.
5. Best Down Alternative Pillow: Wamsutta Medium Density Stomach Sleeper Pillow $14.99
The purpose of the down alternative is to cater to those looking to stay within a reasonable budget and also for an easier maintenance pillow. This is a great option at an affordable $14.99 coupled with terrific performance benchmarks. It was able to keep its shape and size even after five wash cycles, still provided excellent comfort and support, and it’s great for sleeping on your stomach too if you so choose to. This pillow is manufactured using cotton for its cover and polyester for its fill.
6. Best Foam Pillow: Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow $101.99
Best known for their mattresses, the Swedish company also has a great array of foam pillow products. It is ergonomically-sound and made with memory foam in order to give you solid support when you’re on your side or back. Additionally, the pillow is contoured in order to curve naturally around your head, neck, and shoulders to prevent any unnecessary stress or pressure on pivotal joints. While the polyester outer layer can be removed and machine washed, it’s important to note that this product does have an odd time fitting into pillowcases.
7. Best Foam Cluster Pillow: Layla Kapok Memory Foam Pillow $17.00
This pillow is made with a combination of kapok, which is a natural fiber similar to cotton, and shredded memory foam. The benefit is that you get both the firmness of support and the softness of its fluffiness. The shape of the pillow is neither too high nor too low, so it can be easily adjusted for any sleeping position. An interesting feature of the pillow is that the cover comes with copper in order to help reduce heating and produce a more breathable effect. The only qualm one could say is the fact the grey color of the pillow is easily visible through white pillowcases.
8. Best Adjustable Pillow: Sleep Number ComfortFit Ultimate $89.99
This pillow comes with three separate in order to adjust the height depending on your preference. The pillow is a mix of memory foam with down alternative fibers and gives you both a soft, yet resistant firmness to keep your neck supported. In addition, it feels smooth and is able to be cleaned in any washing machine. This pillow is incredibly personable to your body and height and sure does show it.
9. Best Cooling Pillow: Slumber Cirrus Pillow $139.00
This pillow comes made with Outlast technology which helps store and release body heat. It is specifically designed to help regulate body temperature throughout your sleep cycle without making it feel either too hot or too cool. There are a variety of options for this pillow that includes both down and polyester down alternative fills. You can also choose the firmness level of the pillow to increase support or comfort depending on your preference. Still not convinced? Even with its powerful cooling technology, it is still able to be machine washed without sacrificing it’s quality or temperature-regulating perk.
10. Best Organic Pillow: Naturepedic Organic Sculpted Latex Pillow $99.00
Made with latex that’s 100% certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard, this marvellous pillow also has an organic cotton outer fabric for an added plushy effect. Furthermore, it has been GreenGuard certified to guarantee no harmful chemicals were used in the production of the pillow. It’s designed with a solid latex in order to allow your head and neck to comfortably adjust to its material whether you sleep on your side or back. The only negative to this great product is that instructions specify it must be spot-clean and not washed in a machine.
We hope now you’ve given enough thought to the value of a pillow. The average person spends 33% of their entire life sleeping, and so we must take responsibility to give our body enough nourishment and revitalization as much as possible. Next time your mind glosses over the importance of a pillow, make sure to remember how valuable it is in maintaining a strong, healthy body.
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